An ice cold glass of homemade sweet tea on a hot summer day is impossible to beat. Sweet, smooth, and bursting with classic southern flavor, this simple drink will have everyone coming back for seconds. If you’re a fan of easy homemade beverages, be sure to check out our Arnold Palmer, another summer classic!
Homemade Sweet Tea
Sweet tea is one of those timeless recipes that brings comfort and nostalgia with every sip. Whether you love it with a squeeze of lemon, a sprig of mint, or just over plenty of ice, it’s endlessly customizable to suit your taste.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Tea
- Use Filtered Water: It can make a big difference in the final flavor.
- Adjust the Sweetness: Taste as you go and add sugar gradually to find your perfect level of sweetness.
- Choose Quality Tea Bags: A good-quality black tea will really shine through.
- Steeping Time Matters: A longer steep means a stronger, richer tea, while a shorter steep gives a lighter flavor.
- Don’t Squeeze the Tea Bags: This can add bitterness — just let them drain naturally.
- Add Flavors: Lemon slices and fresh mint are optional for a fresh, summery twist.
Perfect Pairings
Homemade sweet tea goes beautifully with summer favorites like grilled or roasted chicken, fresh lemon and parmesan kale salad, or even a serving of peach cobbler. It’s the ultimate drink to serve at barbecues, picnics, or simple family dinners.
Can You Freeze Sweet Tea?
Yes! If you want to make a big batch ahead of time, you can freeze this recipe. Store it in an airtight container, leaving room for it to expand, and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Southern Sweet Tea
Ingredients
- 5 cups water, plus more to fill pitcher
- 6 bags (2g each) black tea
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and place the tea bags into the hot water, making sure they are fully submerged. Allow the tea to steep for 10 to 25 minutes, depending on how strong you would like the flavor to be.
- Gradually stir in the granulated sugar until it is completely dissolved.
- Carefully remove and discard the tea bags.
- Pour the sweetened tea concentrate into a 1-gallon heatproof pitcher.
- Add enough cold water to fill the pitcher, and stir well to combine.
- Refrigerate until chilled (about 4 hours, up to overnight)
- When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice cubes and pour in the sweet tea.
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